Government economic engine keeps backfiring

September 24, 2012

President Barack Obama's contention that the private sector is not really responsible for its own successes has a flip side: If it's true that government is the engine of prosperity in America, why has the economy stalled?

Since January, the U.S. unemployment rate has hovered between 8.1 and 8.3 percent. This, despite Obama's much-touted - and continuing - "stimulus" program.

In various ways, the government has spent trillions of dollars during Obama's administration, attempting to jump-start the economy. But it hasn't worked. Some economists fear a "double-dip recession" is approaching.

So, Mr. President, why hasn't the "somebody else" you credit with creating success made it happen?

President Obama's original statement was insulting to millions of business people who have achieved success often starting with nothing but the sweat of their brows. But it's actually what the president believes.

And why not? He has spent most of his life connected to the public sector, so his thinking that the private sector has this crying need for the government to manage its operations comes from a lifelong perception.

But he can't have it both ways. He can't puff his chest out and tell us the government is largely responsible for the success of private business and then beg off all responsibility when unemployment climbs out of control during his term.

The president has had four years to put his questionable economic theory to work, two of them with a Democratic majority in Congress by his side. He has made every effort to change the fundamentals that have worked pretty well for the American economic system for more than two centuries.

It's a faulty premise, the results show it, and the warranty on blaming the previous president has long since expired.